Roussillon

Question 1

Describe the Cotes du Roussillon AOC.

Answer 1

Dry white, rose, and red wine

White grapes: Grenache Blanc, Macabeau, Tourbat
Rose grapes: Grenache Gris
Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan

Red and white wines must be blends of at least 2 primary grapes
Rose wines are generally blends too

This AOC covers the entire Roussillon region

Question 2

Describe the Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC.

Answer 2

Red wine only

Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan

Wines are Grenache-based, and must be blends of at least 2 primary grapes

Has 5 DGCs, each with a slightly different grape focus and blending formula

Question 3

Describe the Collioure AOC.

Answer 3

Dry white, rose, and red wine

White grapes: Grenache Blanc, Macabeau, Marsanne, Roussanne, Tourbat, Vermentino
Rose grapes: Grenache Gris
Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan

All wines are blends

Collioure AOC and Banyuls AOC have the same area
Collioure is for dry wines, and Banyuls is for VDNs

Question 4

Describe the Maury Sec AOC.

Answer 4

Dry red wine only

Red grapes: Grenache

Wines are blends

Note to be confused with Maury AOC, which produces white and red VDNs

Question 5

Describe the Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC.

Answer 5

Sweet fortified white wine only

White grapes: Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc, Muscat d’Alexandrie

AOC covers most of Roussillon’s vineyards

Muscat de Rivesaltes can be labeled as “Muscat de Noel” for wines marketing during Christmas

Question 6

Describe the Rivesaltes AOC.

Answer 6

Fortified white, fortified rose, and fortified red wine

White grapes: Grenache Blanc, Macabeau, Tourbat
Rose grapes: Grenache Gris
Red grapes: Grenache

Most fortified wines are made oxidatively

Question 7

Describe the Maury AOC.

Answer 7

Fortified white and red wine

White grapes: Grenache Blanc, Macabeau, Tourbat
Rose grapes: Grenache Gris
Red grapes: Grenache

Fortified wines can be made oxidatively or reductively

Question 8

Describe the Banyuls AOC.

Answer 8

Fortified white, fortified rose, and fortified red wine

White grapes: Grenache Blanc, Macabeau, Tourbat
Rose grapes: Grenache Gris
Red grapes: Grenache

Steeply terraced, old vines
Co-planting several grape varieties and harvesting together is common

Fortified wines are usually made oxidatively

Question 9

Describe the Banyuls Grand Cru AOC.

Answer 9

Fortified red wine only

White grapes: Grenache Blanc, Macabeau, Tourbat
Rose grapes: Grenache Gris
Red grapes: Grenache

Same area as Banyuls AOC, but must contain minimum 75% Grenache Noir and aged in oak
Primary blending partners are white varieties

Wine is oxidative with characteristics of fig, prune, caramel, leather, tobacco, and coffee

Question 10

Describe the Cotes Catalanes IGP.

Answer 10

Dry white, rose, and red wine

Covers a large part of land in southern Roussilon

Used by some producers for ambitious, high-quality wines that would not fit under their AOC production regulations

Question 11

What is the climate of Roussillon?

Answer 11

Mediterrranean

Question 12

Roussillon is best known for what style of wine?

Answer 12

Vin Doux Natural (VDN)

Question 13

What grape is most commonly used in the production of dry white wine in Roussillon?

Answer 13

Grenache Blanc

Question 14

What are the 2 labeling terms on VDNs that refer to red wines aged reductively?

Answer 14

Grenat - used in Rivesaltes and Maury
Rimage - used in Banyuls

Question 15

What is “tuile”?

Answer 15

A labeling term for VDNs to signify a slightly oxidized red wine that takes on a “tuile” (clay-tile) color

Question 16

What is “ambre”?

Answer 16

A labeling term for VDNs to signify a controlled-oxidation white wine that takes on an amber color

Question 17

What is “hors d’age”?

Answer 17

An oxidated VDN aged for a minimum of 5 years